Sports
Ohio Begins MAC Play On a Strong Note Against Toledo
By: Matt Summers
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Star pitcher Savannah Jo Dorsey has received plenty of run support recently and tonight was no exception as Ohio cruised to a 10-1 victory over Toledo.
For most of the game, the green and white had more runs than they did hits, capitalizing on Toledo’s errors and poor play. Many of the Bobcats’ singles earned resulted from out hustling the Rockets’ infielders and sloppy throws. A couple of steals came from pitches that got away from Toledo’s catcher. Other steals, however, were thanks to Deanna Cole and Taylor Saxton’s pure speed.
Coach Jodi Hermanek appreciated her team’s strategic play.
“They are a team defensively that has an error in every single defender. We wanted to capitalize on it,” Hermanek said. “We were prepared for it. We executed the scouting report.”
Dorsey had quite an outing, improving her record to 13-3, while striking out five, and allowing one run on two hits. She only faced 16 batters in the five innings she played. Dorsey maintained composure after allowing Toledo’s leadoff batter, Chandler Rice, a solo shot to center field.
“We didn’t flinch or falter. We just kept on with it,” Dorsey said. “We had to score to win anyways so we scored one and scored more and we just kept pushing and keep pushing. As long as you don’t flinch, you’ll win the ball game.”
Ohio’s bats made the four innings they had to put up runs count.
Offensive star of the game, Morgan Geno, delivered four runs across the plate while smacking the seams off a ball to center field. She went 2-2 with a walk in her three at-bats. Geno, also swung the bat incredibly well for Ohio. The Rockets faced 29 total batters in only four innings in comparison to the ‘Cats 16 batters faced. This speaks to how well Ohio got on base. And when they land on base, they go for more.
“It just doesn’t stop. I like to use the term ‘foot on the gas.’ We just don’t stop,” Geno said. “We’ve worked too hard to just be like ‘Oh we are up by a ton, we can let off a little bit.’”
All nine Bobcat batters got on base, while only leaving seven batters on. They had strong third and fourth innings, pilling on five and four runs, respectively.
Ohio takes on the Rockets in a Saturday double-header at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., looking to improve on their superb 2017 season.